Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

What are the odds that a speed-dating mixer will lead to a happily ever after? Well, Raquel and Robert beat the odds and instantly hit it off. Ten months after meeting at the mixer, Robert wined and dined Raquel at Antica Osteria. “I guessed halfway through dinner what was going to happen,” says Raquel. After dinner Robert took Raquel to Hermann Park for an intimate proposal. “For some reason, all of the lights were out at the park. Nevertheless, the proposal was in true form of our relationship- a little bit of tradition mixed with corky romance, but always full of surprises and good laughs!” adds Raquel. The pair wanted a romantic, garden theme wedding with lots of candles, which perfectly complemented The Bell Tower on 34th Street. “We wanted to include hint of our Asian and Irish heritage through the colors and favors,” she adds. It was only appropriate that Raquel married her Prince Charming in a Rivini gown from Mia Bridal Couture paired with satin white Badgley Mischka peep-toe pumps. *Sigh* Just wait ‘til you see the lovely photos! Congrats and best wishes to the newlyweds!

Jane met Andrew during his first week of training in her department at Four Seasons Dallas. Little did she know that after being transferred to Four Seasons Whistler they would still keep in touch. A year later after traveling back and forth to visit their mutual friends, they had their first date and the rest was history. Jane and Andrew decided that it was only appropriate, as former Four Seasons employees, to celebrate their wedding at Four Seasons Hotel Houston. “We wanted a simple yet polished design. We decorated the ballroom with soft pink, silver, gold and pops of orange to blend in with the chandeliers,” says Jane. After the reception, guests met at the pool to continue celebrating with drinks, late-night snacks, adult snow cones and a DJ from LG Entertainment that kept everyone dancing until 2 a.m. Sounds like quite the party, huh? Just wait ‘til you see the photos by DC Stanley Photography. Congratulations and best wishes to the newlyweds!

When Brittney first met Taylor through a mutual friend while they were both attending Texas A&M, she wasn’t so sure about dating the “old” guy. Six months later, that changed. Brittney decided to text Taylor to see how he was doing and the rest was history. Taylor planned the perfect proposal in Paris that completely swept Brittney off of her feet. “We stayed in a quaint little hotel near the Eiffel Tower and he told me that we were doing an 8 AM Eiffel Tower tour but he wanted me to look nice so we could take some pictures beforehand. At 7 AM, we stood in Trocadero Square where the Eiffel tower sits beautifully in the background attempting to take selfies. A photographer walked by offering to take pictures of us and it turns out, Taylor had been talking to this photographer and coordinated this whole plan. I had no idea. The photographer’s line was “the lighting is perfect now” and that is when Taylor got on his knee and asked me to marry him.” Looks like dating an “older” guy isn’t so bad after all, huh. It was only appropriate for the pair to plan their Houston wedding around the Texas A&M color palette of maroon, gray and white, which complemented their gorgeous wedding venue, The Corinthian, perfectly. Just wait until you see the beautiful photos from their wedding, thanks to J. Cogliandro Photography. You’ll be swooning for sure. Congrats Brittney and Taylor, we wish you a lifetime of happiness!

While European-themed Chateau Polonez was the site of their spring wedding, it was the allure of the islands that served as inspiration for Julie and Justin’s memorable celebration. The couple, who became engaged in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, and would eventually honeymoon in French Polynesia, infused their special day with “beachy” elements, from a blue-and-coral palette to sand-rock-and-starfish candle displays, to guest tables named for famed island destinations. Did the newlyweds sail off into the sunset? Not exactly. But after hours of dancing and dining with those they loved most, they did drive off in a 1965 Rolls-Royce the groom had always coveted. “We had such a wonderful time,” the bride says, “and were so thankful to have our family and loved ones there.”

Jewelry designer Katie Decker has a passion for ornamentation, so it’s no surprise the bride selected La Colombe d’Or’s magnificently ornate, oak-paneled Grand Salon to celebrate her marriage to high-school sweetheart Mitchell. Having already designed her own rose-gold engagement ring, Katie took her inspiration from the romantic hue, bringing the color to her cake, her invitations, even her blush-toned Ines Di Santo gown from beloved Houston salon Mia Bridal Couture. At the couple’s elegant reception, French-style furniture surrounding the dance floor “made it feel as if you had gone back in time and entered a Belle-Epoque-style club,” Katie says. And while dining and dancing in that lavish environment was decidedly delightful, the bride says her favorite memory was “walking down the aisle and seeing Mitchell for the first time, with all our friends and family in one place. It was so surreal…and such a happy occasion.”